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CBC to introduce new local service to Kitchener-Waterloo

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2011 /CNW/ - Continuing the promise of its five-year
strategic plan Everyone, Every Way, CBC announced today it will
introduce new radio and internet services for the Kitchener-Waterloo
area commencing in fall of 2012.

"Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding area, is home to over a half
million Ontarians. As the public broadcaster, we're delighted to be
able to introduce new on the ground-coverage to the area," says Susan
Marjetti, CBC Managing Director of Toronto and Ontario Regions. "The
intent is to connect and reflect the cities' in all their richness and
diversity. Kitchener-Waterloo is a vibrant urban centre, with much to
offer by the way of technology, business, arts and culture, and great
quality of life. We're looking forward to sharing all of the details,
as we get closer to our launch in 2012."

"I'm delighted CBC is coming to our vibrant community" says Carl Zehr,
mayor of Kitchener. "Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing and
economically diverse communities in Ontario. We look forward to a CBC
local presence here and the comprehensive voice it will lend to our
region."

"I am delighted that the CBC has chosen to expand and have a local
presence in our vibrant community," says Brenda Halloran, mayor of
Waterloo. "The addition of this news medium allows the residents of the
City of Waterloo to access more news and become more engaged in local
initiatives. We welcome the CBC to our great City."

"We're very excited about forging a new relationship with the
Kitchener-Waterloo community with these latest additions to our
service," says Kirstine Stewart, executive vice-president of CBC
English Services. "People across the country tell us that local
service is what they want. So as a public broadcaster, it's our job to
meet that expectation, evolving the ways in which we deliver our
services as well as creating new ones. We'll be expanding the kinds of
programs we offer. Canada's communities are changing and growing; we
know there are millions of Canadians who now live in areas which we
aren't serving locally, or aren't serving enough. Our objective is to
address that over the next four years."

"I'm very happy to see the momentum continuing for our Everyone, Every
way strategy," says Hubert T. Lacroix, president and chief executive
officer of CBC/Radio-Canada. "Announcing new local services confirms
that we are committed to delivering on our promise of a stronger
relationship with Canadians. With new delivery models, CBC/Radio-Canada
continues to evolve into a modern and agile public broadcaster."

Details about the new Kitchener-Waterloo service will be announced in
coming months, Marjetti says.

More than 7 million Canadians live in large population centres that are
either unserved or underserved by CBC; the public broadcaster's
strategic plan is aimed at reaching approximately 6 million Canadians
with new or expanded local services over the next four years. In May,
CBC made announcements for weekend news in Toronto and Calgary and
unveiled plans for new services in Kelowna, Kamloops and Victoria.
Other recent announcements have included Edmonton, Halifax, St. John's,
London and Ottawa.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its
largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching
Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio,
television, Internet and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the
regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer
diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight
Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences.
In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians
and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of
Canada.